Livermore Climate

Sunny, warm Livermore enjoys a classic California Mediterranean climate, with warm to hot, dry summers, and mild to cool, wet winters. In summer the city experiences average daytime temperatures in the mid to high 80s, with days that can reach more than 100 degrees, even up to 110 degrees. The record high was 115 degrees in September 1950. Thankfully, winds that travel west to east through the valley bring strong, cool breezes from the Pacific Ocean in the summer, lowering the temperatures from between 50 and 60 degrees. The strong winds are why you’ll see wind turbines in the hills in the Altamont Pass, just to the east of Livermore.

While early summer in Livermore is quite dry, in late summer the valley can experience occasional subtropical moisture, which can mean higher humidity, and in some cases, thunderstorms. Fall through winter are when Livermore experiences most of its rain, the wettest months being December through March. The average rainfall in Livermore is more than 15 inches per year, which is higher than its East Bay neighbors to the west.

In winter Livermore experiences average low temperatures of between 39 and 44 degrees. The coldest months are December and January; daytime temps can get to around 56 degrees, and nighttime temps around 39. Temperatures do fall below freezing at times, as low as 20 degrees. The record low was 18 degrees, in January 1961, and December 1972.

Livermore’s climate is a big part of the reason why it is California’s oldest wine growing region. Because of the valley’s east-west orientation, coastal fog and marine breezes are able to come in from the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. The warm days and cool nights create prime conditions for producing grapes that are fully ripe and well balanced.